After years of growth, a country market has moved into the city.
The Apple Barrel Country Market began operating a new location on Center Street across the street from the Kalispell Center Mall on Feb. 1. Though the store quietly opened without a grand opening, owners Dana and Dave Cordell said the Apple Barrel Center Street Market has seen a steady stream of customers.
That’s what happens when you’ve been building a dedicated customer base for 17 years – and when you offer a second location to attract to new customers.
“We’ve really been tickled so far,” Dana Cordell said. “Without having a formal opening, it’s been really well-received.”
The Cordells opened the Apple Barrel on U.S. Highway 2 south of Glacier Park International Airport in 1996. Since then, it has gained a reputation for selling quality fresh fruit and vegetables, as well as locally derived food such as jerky and huckleberry products.
Over the years, the Apple Barrel added a growing inventory of kitchen supplies. Two years ago, the Cordells branched out into wine with the opening of Glacier Sun Winery, headed up by winemaker Doug Wagner. In May, Glacier Sun Winery will hold a release party to introduce wine varietals coming out this spring.
The Cordells have also operated an annual holiday season kiosk at the Kalispell Center Mall. While the kiosk has been popular in general, they said it did particularly well last year when it sold goods from Montana Olive Oil, LLC. The specialty olive oils and vinegars proved to be hot items, the Cordells said.
Motivated by that success, and responding to years of customers stating their desire to see an Apple Barrel store in Kalispell, the Cordells decided to open the Center Street market, featuring both the Montana Olive Oil’s products and its owner, Stu Saye.
Saye is the manager of the Apple Barrel Center Street Market, lending expertise by dispensing detailed information about his extra-virgin olive oils and balsamic vinegars to customers. The aged balsamic vinegars hail from Modena, Italy, while the olive oils are derived from the Spanish arbequina and picual olive varieties.
Saye offers classic olive oils as well as naturally infused oils, which have an extra virgin olive oil base and are infused with various natural flavors. Five-ounce bottles of the vinegars and oils sell for $10.25, while the bigger 12.7-ounce bottles are $17.50. Besides being tasty and expertly crafted, Saye notes that the oils are heart healthy.
“A real quality product at a really decent price,” Saye said. “They make great gifts.”
The new location also sells a host of kitchen supplies, including soapstone griddles, bamboo cutting board sets, whiskey rocks, cheese knives, garlic presses, peelers, bowls made from reclaimed acacia wood, and much more. Candles have been popular items, Saye said.
The market sells specialty food products as well, though not currently fruits and vegetables. The original market on Highway 2 will continue to be the primary produce seller. The Center Street location sells local honey, sauces, taffy, jerky and the Apple Barrel’s own private line of jarred foods, such as pickles and preserves.
The Apple Barrel Center Street Market is located at 408 Center St. West in Kalispell and can be reached at (406) 393-2332. It will have a formal grand opening in May.